UK Data Centre Expansion: Almost 100 New Facilities Planned by 2030

The number of data centers in the UK is set to increase by almost 20% to 477, with most to be built in the next five years. The expansion is driven by the growth of artificial intelligence and the need for processing power. However, concerns have been raised about the high energy and water consumption of the new data centers, which could drive up prices paid by consumers. The UK government has designated data centers as critical national infrastructure, but their impact remains a concern.

The UK's data center landscape is set to undergo a significant transformation, with the number of data centers projected to increase by nearly 20% to 477, according to recent figures [1]. This expansion, driven by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and the escalating demand for processing power, highlights the UK's burgeoning role in the global data center market.

The majority of these new data centers are expected to be built in the next five years, with a substantial number of them planned in London and its neighboring counties. Major tech giants such as Google and Microsoft, along with significant investment firms, are leading the construction efforts [1]. For instance, Google is planning two data centers in north east London, while Microsoft is set to build four new facilities in the UK, with an estimated total cost of £330 million [1].

However, the expansion comes with significant concerns, particularly regarding energy and water consumption. The construction of these data centers could potentially drive up energy prices for consumers, as they require substantial amounts of electricity and water for cooling [1]. Dr. Sasha Luccioni, AI and climate lead at machine learning firm Hugging Face, warns that the timeline for these new data centers is "aggressive" and suggests that companies should bear the cost of the additional energy required to power these facilities [1].

Moreover, the environmental impact of these data centers is a growing concern. Many existing data centers require large quantities of water for cooling, and the UK government has even suggested that citizens delete old emails and pictures to conserve water in data centers during a national drought [2]. In response to these concerns, the UK government has established an AI Energy Council to ensure that supply can meet demand, alongside a £104 billion investment in water infrastructure [1].

While the UK is poised to become a major player in the global data center market, the sustainability and environmental impact of this growth must be carefully managed. Companies like DayOne, a Singapore-based data center developer, are investing in innovative cooling technologies and exploring waste heat integration into local district heating systems to mitigate these impacts [3]. The UK government's designation of data centers as critical national infrastructure underscores their importance to the country's economic future, but it also highlights the need for sustainable and responsible growth [1].

References:
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyr9nx0jrzo
[2] https://theoutpost.ai/news-story/uk-government-s-controversial-advice-delete-digital-data-to-save-water-amid-drought-19079/
[3] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/GDS/day-one-announces-flagship-hyperscale-data-center-project-in-lahti-ry4wui4vxegg.html